Field-effect Transistor (e.g., Jfet, Etc.) Patents (Class 326/112)
  • Patent number: 8692579
    Abstract: In order to reduce power consumption, an arithmetic circuit having a function of performing a logic operation processing based on an input signal, storing a potential set in accordance with the result of the logic operation processing as stored data, and outputting a signal with a value corresponding to the stored data as an output signal. The arithmetic circuit includes an arithmetic portion performing the logic operation processing, a first field-effect transistor controlling whether a first potential, which is the potential corresponding to the result of the logic operation processing is set, and a second field-effect transistor controlling whether the potential of the output signal data is set at a second potential which is a reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20140062532
    Abstract: A dynamic logic gate includes a nano-electro-mechanical-switch, preferably a four-terminal-nano-electro-mechanical-switch. The invention further refers to dynamic logic cascade circuits comprising such a dynamic logic gate. In particular, embodiments of the invention concern dynamic logic cascade circuits comprising single or dual rail dynamic logic gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Despont, Daniel Grogg, Christoph Hagleitner, Yu Pu
  • Patent number: 8653854
    Abstract: A circuit includes E-mode transistors with gate-source junction, a D-mode transistor with gate-source junction. A component generates a voltage drop between the source of the D-mode transistor and the drain of an E mode transistor provided as a signal output. A connection is made between this drain of the E-mode transistor and the gate of the D-mode transistor, and a signal input at the gates of the E-mode transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Erwin Spits, Léon C. M. van den Oever
  • Publication number: 20140035621
    Abstract: Disclosed are an inverter, a NAND gate, and a NOR gate. The inverter includes: a pull-up unit constituted by a second thin film transistor outputting a first power voltage to an output terminal according to a voltage applied to a gate; a pull-down unit constituted by a fifth thin film transistor outputting a ground voltage to the output terminal according to an input signal applied to a gate; and a pull-up driver applying a second power voltage or the ground voltage to the gate of the second thin film transistor according to the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicants: Konkuk University Industrial Cooperation Corp, ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sang Hee PARK, Chi Sun HWANG, Sung MIN Yoon, Him Chan OH, Kee Chan PARK, Tao REN, Hong Kyun LEEM, Min Woo OH, Ji Sun KIM, Jae Eun PI, Byeong Hoon KIM, Byoung Gon YU
  • Publication number: 20140035622
    Abstract: Disclosed are an inverter, a NAND gate, and a NOR gate. The inverter includes: a pull-up unit constituted by a second thin film transistor outputting a first power voltage to an output terminal according to a voltage applied to a gate; a pull-down unit constituted by a fifth thin film transistor outputting a ground voltage to the output terminal according to an input signal applied to a gate; and a pull-up driver applying a second power voltage or the ground voltage to the gate of the second thin film transistor according to the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicants: Konkuk University Industrial Cooperation Corp, ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sang Hee PARK, Chi Sun Hwang, Sung Min Yoon, Him Chan Oh, Kee Chan Park, Tao Ren, Hong Kyun Leem, Min Woo Oh, Ji Sun Kim, Jae Eun Pi, Byeong Hoon Kim, Byoung Gon Yu
  • Patent number: 8629693
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of inverters includes: a first transistor having one end connected to a first terminal; and a second transistor having one end connected to a second terminal and the other end connected to the other end of the first transistor. The first transistors included in the inverters located at either odd-number orders or even-number orders counted from an input terminal side of an inverter chain circuit become conductive when a pre-charge signal has a first state to pre-charge the other end of the first transistors, and become non-conductive when the pre-charge signal has a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi Inukai
  • Patent number: 8610464
    Abstract: The circuit includes an E-mode transistor with gate-source junction, a D-mode transistor with gate-source junction, a component generating a voltage drop between the source of the D-mode transistor and the drain of the E-mode transistor, and a connection between the drain of the E-mode transistor and the gate of the D-mode transistor. The gate of the E-mode transistor is provided for an input signal, and the drain of the E-mode transistor is provided for an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Epcos AG
    Inventor: Erwin Spits
  • Patent number: 8598910
    Abstract: In described embodiments, a timestamp generator includes a fixed clock domain driven by a fixed frequency clock, a core clock domain, coupled to the fixed clock domain, which is driven by a core clock whose frequency is adjustable during an operation of the timestamp generator. A timestamp logic operating in the core clock domain generates a timestamping output of the timestamp generator. A rate generator operating in both the fixed clock domain and the core clock domain generates per clock cycle increments in the fixed clock domain and transfers carry units from the fixed clock domain into the core clock domain, and a timestamp increment generation of the timestamp logic is clocked by the fixed frequency clock provided by the rate generator. A method for enabling timestamp in an ASIC to be accurate with system clock changes is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: John Leshchuk, Joseph A. Manzella, Walter A. Roper
  • Patent number: 8587342
    Abstract: A novel logic circuit in which data is held even after power is turned off is provided. Further, a novel logic circuit whose power consumption can be reduced is provided. In the logic circuit, a comparator comparing two output nodes, a charge holding portion, and an output-node-potential determining portion are electrically connected to each other. Such a structure enables data to be held in the logic circuit even after power is turned off. Further, the total number of transistors in the logic circuit can be reduced. Furthermore, the area of the logic circuit can be reduced by stacking a transistor including an oxide semiconductor and a transistor including silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuto Yakubo, Shuhei Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 8576614
    Abstract: A tunnel transistor is provided including a drain, a source and at least a first gate for controlling current between the drain and the source, wherein the first sides of respectively the first and the second gate dielectric material are positioned substantially along and substantially contact respectively the first and the second semiconductor part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&D
    Inventors: Marc Heyns, Cedric Huyghebaert, Anne S. Verhulst, Daniele Leonelli, Rita Rooyackers, Wim Dehaene
  • Patent number: 8570066
    Abstract: Disclosed are an inverter, a NAND gate, and a NOR gate. The inverter includes: a pull-up unit constituted by a second thin film transistor outputting a first power voltage to an output terminal according to a voltage applied to a gate; a pull-down unit constituted by a fifth thin film transistor outputting a ground voltage to the output terminal according to an input signal applied to a gate; and a pull-up driver applying a second power voltage or the ground voltage to the gate of the second thin film transistor according to the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sang Hee Park, Chi Sun Hwang, Sung Min Yoon, Him Chan Oh, Kee Chan Park, Tao Ren, Hong Kyun Leem, Min Woo Oh, Ji Sun Kim, Jae Eun Pi, Byeong Hoon Kim, Byoung Gon Yu
  • Publication number: 20130278285
    Abstract: PICA test circuits are shown that include a first transistor and a second transistor laid out drain-to-drain, such that a gap between respective drain regions of the first and second transistors has a minimum size allowed by a given fabrication technology; a first NOR gate having an output connected to the drain region of the first transistor and accepting a first select signal and an input signal; and a second NOR gate having an output connected to the drain region of the second transistor and accepting a second select signal and the input signal. One of said NOR gates biases the connected transistor's drain region, according to the select signal of said NOR gate, to inhibit an optical emission when said connected transistor is triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: HERSCHEL A. AINSPAN, SEONGWON KIM, FRANCO STELLARI, ALAN J. WEGER
  • Patent number: 8564331
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in which an input terminal is electrically connected to a first terminal of a first transmission gate; a second terminal of the first transmission gate is electrically connected to a first terminal of a first inverter and a second terminal of a functional circuit; a second terminal of the first inverter and a first terminal of the functional circuit are electrically connected to a first terminal of a second transmission gate; a second terminal of the second transmission gate is electrically connected to a first terminal of a second inverter and a second terminal of a clocked inverter; a second terminal of the second inverter and a first terminal of the clocked inverter are electrically connected to an output terminal; and the functional circuit includes a data holding portion between a transistor with small off-state current and a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 8547139
    Abstract: A CMOS logic integrated circuit includes a level shifter and a CMOS logic circuit. The level shifter converts a signal of a first logic level to a signal of a second logic level. The signal of the first logic level changes between a first low potential and a first high potential higher than the first low potential. The signal of the second logic level changes between the first low potential and a second high potential higher than the first high potential. The CMOS logic circuit includes a first N-channel type MOSFET and a second N-channel type MOSFET. The second N-channel type MOSFET is connected in series with the first N-channel type MOSFET. A first signal of the first logic level is input into a gate of the first N-channel type MOSFET. A second signal of the second logic level has an inversion relationship with the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Chikahiro Hori, Akira Takiba
  • Publication number: 20130181741
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a first level shifter configured to receive a first input signal and a first power supply signal, and to output a first output signal. The integrated circuit further includes a first inverter configured to receive the first output signal, and to output a first inverter signal. The integrated circuit further includes a second level shifter configured to receive a second input signal and a second power supply signal, and to output a second output signal, wherein a voltage level of the second power supply signal is different from a voltage level of the first power supply signal. The integrated circuit further includes a second inverter configure to receive the second output signal, and to output a second inverter signal. The integrated circuit further includes an output buffer configured to receive the first inverter signal and the second inverter signal, and to output a buffer output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
  • Patent number: 8487657
    Abstract: A dynamic logic circuit includes an N channel transistor stack between a dynamic node and a first power supply terminal for receiving a plurality of logic signals. A P channel clock transistor is coupled between a second power supply terminal and the dynamic node is for receiving a clock signal. An N channel clock transistor is in series with the N channel stack and is between the dynamic node and the first power supply terminal is for receiving the clock signal. A keeper transistor has a first current electrode coupled to the dynamic node, a second current electrode coupled to a second power supply terminal, and a control electrode. A static logic circuit has an output for providing an output responsive to a state of the logic signals. The output is coupled to the control electrode of the keeper transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: George P. Hoekstra, Ravindraraj Ramaraju, Maciej Bajkowski
  • Patent number: 8487656
    Abstract: A dynamic logic circuit includes an N channel transistor stack between a dynamic node and a first power terminal for receiving a plurality of logic signals. A first clock transistor is coupled between a second power terminal and the dynamic node for receiving a clock signal. A second clock transistor is in series with the N channel stack, between the dynamic node and a second power terminal, and for receiving the clock signal. An inverter circuit has an input coupled to the dynamic node and an output. A keeper transistor has a control electrode coupled to the output of the inverter circuit, a first current electrode coupled to the dynamic node, and a second current electrode. A plurality of P channel transistors, which are coupled in parallel, are coupled between the keeper transistor and the second power terminal and are for receiving the plurality of logic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravindraraj Ramaraju, George P. Hoekstra
  • Patent number: 8446177
    Abstract: An inverter circuit includes: first to third transistors; and first and second capacity elements. The first transistor makes/breaks connection between an output terminal and a first voltage line in response to potential difference between an input terminal and the first voltage line or its correspondent. The second transistor makes/breaks connection between a second voltage line and the output terminal in response to potential difference between a gate of the second transistor and the output terminal or its correspondent. The third transistor makes/breaks connection between a gate of the second transistor and a third voltage line in response to potential difference between the input terminal and the third voltage line or its correspondent. The first and second capacity elements are inserted in series between the input terminal and the gate of the second transistor. A junction between the first and second capacity elements is connected to the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8446176
    Abstract: An integrated circuit ECO base cell module is formed with PMOS and NMOS gate electrode structures and power supply lines that are electrically separated from one another up to the second metal (M2) layer in a fixed circuit structure that may be reconfigured with one or more conductor elements formed above the M2 layer to form a predetermined circuit function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianan Yang, Darrin L. Hutchinson, Stephen G. Jamison
  • Patent number: 8415982
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a first inverter constituted by a first transistor configured to charge a charge point based on an input signal, and a second transistor configured to discharge a discharge point based on the input signal; a P-type third transistor and an N-type fourth transistor with drain-source paths provided in parallel between the charge point and the discharge point; and a second inverter configured to invert a potential of the charge point or the discharge point and supply the inverted potential to gates of the third and fourth transistors, and obtain a delay signal of the input signal from the charge point or the discharge point. The semiconductor integrated circuit device secures a sufficient delay time with a small area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Chenkong Teh, Hiroyuki Hara
  • Publication number: 20130082736
    Abstract: A device includes first through third logic circuits. Each of first and second logic circuits includes a first circuit portion generating a first output signal in response to a first input signal when a second input signal takes a first logic level, and a second circuit portion transferring the first input signal to output the first output signal when the second input signal takes a second logic level. The third logic circuit includes a third circuit portion generating a second output signal in response to the first output signal supplied from the first logic circuit when the first output signal supplied from the second logic circuit takes a third logic level, and a fourth circuit portion generating the second output signal in response to the first output signal supplied with the first logic circuit when the first output signal supplied from the second logic circuit takes a fourth logic level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Chiaki Dono
  • Patent number: 8406077
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes discharging a first dynamic node at a first discharge circuit of a first dynamic circuit structure in response to receiving an asserted discharge signal. The first dynamic circuit structure includes the first dynamic node at a first voltage level and a first keeper circuit that is disabled when the asserted discharge signal is received. The asserted discharge signal has a second voltage level that is different from the first voltage level. A second keeper circuit of a second dynamic circuit structure is enabled responsive to discharging the first dynamic node to maintain a second dynamic node of the second dynamic circuit structure at the first voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Jentsung Ken Lin
  • Publication number: 20130064005
    Abstract: A tunnel transistor is provided comprising a drain, a source and at least a first gate for controlling current between the drain and the source, wherein the first sides of respectively the first and the second gate dielectric material are positioned substantially along and substantially contact respectively the first and the second semiconductor part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicants: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. LEUVEN R&D, IMEC
    Inventors: Marc Heyns, Cedric Huyghebaert, Anne S. Verhulst, Daniele Leonelli, Rita Rooyackers, Wim Dehaene
  • Patent number: 8358154
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a magnetic logic gate for implementing a combinational logic function. The magnetic logic gate may include a write circuit configured to apply a spin-polarized current to the magnetoresistive device such that a resulting programmed magnetization state of the magnetoresistive device corresponds to a logic input value of a combinational logic function implemented by the magnetic logic device. The magnetic logic gate may further include a read circuit configured to generate a logic output value for the combinational logic function based on the programmed magnetization state in response to the write circuit applying the spin-polarized current to the magnetoresistive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Romney R. Katti
  • Patent number: 8354861
    Abstract: A logic gate has a magnetoresistive element, a magnetization state control unit and an output unit. The magnetoresistive element has a laminated structure having N (N is an integer not smaller than 3) magnetic layers and N?1 nonmagnetic layers that are alternately laminated. A resistance value of the magnetoresistive element varies depending on magnetization states of the N magnetic layers. The magnetization state control unit sets the respective magnetization states of the N magnetic layers depending on N input data. The output unit outputs output data that varies depending on the resistance value of the magnetoresistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Sugibayashi, Noboru Sakimura, Ryusuke Nebashi
  • Patent number: 8300039
    Abstract: An inverter circuit includes: first to third transistors; and first and second capacity elements. The first transistor makes/breaks connection between an output terminal and a first voltage line in response to potential difference between an input terminal and the first voltage line or its correspondent. The second transistor makes/breaks connection between a second voltage line and the output terminal in response to potential difference between a gate of the second transistor and the output terminal or its correspondent. The third transistor makes/breaks connection between a gate of the second transistor and a third voltage line in response to potential difference between the input terminal and the third voltage line or its correspondent. The first and second capacity elements are inserted in series between the input terminal and the gate of the second transistor. A junction between the first and second capacity elements is connected to the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8289309
    Abstract: An inverter circuit includes: a first transistor and a second transistor; a first switch and a second switch; and a first capacity element, in which the first and second transistors are connected in series between a first voltage line and a second voltage line, the first and second switches are connected in series between a supply voltage line and a gate of the second transistor, and are alternately turned on and off so as not to be turned on simultaneously, an end of the first capacity element is connected between the first switch and the second switch, and off-state of the first transistor allows a predetermined fixed voltage to be supplied from the supply voltage line to the gate of the second transistor through the first switch, the end of the first capacity element and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8289052
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a logic circuit which can be operated even when unipolar transistors are used. A logic circuit includes a source follower circuit and a logic circuit an input portion of which is connected to an output portion of the source follower circuit and all transistors are unipolar transistors. A potential of a wiring for supplying a low potential connected to the source follower circuit is lower than a potential of a wiring for supplying a low potential connected to the logic circuit which includes unipolar transistors. In this manner, a logic circuit which can be operated even with unipolar depletion transistors can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kawae
  • Patent number: 8284182
    Abstract: An inverter circuit includes: first and second transistors connected between first and second voltage lines; a fifth transistor having a drain connected to a fifth voltage line and a source connected to a gate of the second transistor; a first capacitive element between a gate and the source of the fifth transistor; a second capacitive element between a first input terminal and the source of the fifth transistor; and the third capacitive element between a second input terminal and the source of the fifth transistor. A first pulse signal into the first input terminal has a phase advanced more than a second pulse signal into the second input terminal. The second pulse signal is switched while the gate of the fifth transistor and the first voltage line are connected. The first pulse signal is switched while the gate of the fifth transistor and the first voltage line are unconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8284183
    Abstract: An inverter circuit including: first to third transistors; first and second switches; and a first capacitive element. The first and second transistors are connected in series between a first voltage line and a second voltage line. The third transistor is connected between the second voltage line and a gate of the second transistor. The first and second switches are connected in series between a voltage supply line and a gate of the third transistor, and are turned on/off alternately to prevent the first and second switches from simultaneously turning ON. One end of the first capacitive element is connected to a node between the first and second switches. Off-state of the first transistor allows a predetermined fixed voltage to be supplied from the voltage supply line to the gate of the second transistor, via the first switch, the one end of the first capacitive element and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20120242370
    Abstract: Disclosed are an inverter, a NAND gate, and a NOR gate. The inverter includes: a pull-up unit constituted by a second thin film transistor outputting a first power voltage to an output terminal according to a voltage applied to a gate; a pull-down unit constituted by a fifth thin film transistor outputting a ground voltage to the output terminal according to an input signal applied to a gate; and a pull-up driver applying a second power voltage or the ground voltage to the gate of the second thin film transistor according to the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicants: Konkuk University Industrial Cooperation Corp, ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sang Hee Park, Chi Sun Hwang, Sung Min Yoon, Him Chan Oh, Kee Chan Park, Tao Ren, Hong Kyun Leem, Min Woo Oh, Ji Sun Kim, Jae Eun Pi, Byeong Hoon Kim, Byoung Gon Yu
  • Publication number: 20120229166
    Abstract: A standard cell used for the logic synthesis and the routing of layout is configured by a logic circuit on an output side and a logic circuit on an input side, and a driving capacity of the logic circuit on the output side is made large while gate input capacitance of the logic circuit on the input side is made small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8264253
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a swing compensation scheme for compensating errors in a transmitter driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kathy Tian, Harry Muljono
  • Patent number: 8258771
    Abstract: A circuit device includes: a power supply circuit; and a logic circuit, the power supply circuit supplying a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage to the logic circuit, the first power supply voltage supplied by the power supply circuit periodically changing with a first reference voltage as a reference voltage, the second power supply voltage supplied by the power supply circuit periodically changing with a second reference voltage as a reference voltage, the power supply circuit supplying, due to resonance, the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage that repeat a first period during which a voltage difference between the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage is decreasing and a second period during which the voltage difference is increasing, and the logic circuit performing adiabatic circuit operation with the supply of the first and the second power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Sato, Atsushi Yamada, Norikazu Tsukahara, Toshikazu Kuwano, Yasuhiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8258814
    Abstract: A layout design method in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention is a layout design method for a clock tree circuit, including disposing a first clock distribution circuit in a clock tree circuit, wiring the clock tree circuit in which the first clock distribution circuit is disposed, verifying timing of the wired clock tree circuit, and replacing the first distribution element by a second clock distribution circuit based on a result of the timing verification, the second clock distribution circuit having roughly a same input load capacitance as the first clock distribution circuit and a different delay value from the first clock distribution circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakahashi
  • Publication number: 20120218000
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of inverters includes: a first transistor having one end connected to a first terminal; and a second transistor having one end connected to a second terminal and the other end connected to the other end of the first transistor. The first transistors included in the inverters located at either odd-number orders or even-number orders counted from an input terminal side of an inverter chain circuit become conductive when a pre-charge signal has a first state to pre-charge the other end of the first transistors, and become non-conductive when the pre-charge signal has a second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Takashi Inukai
  • Publication number: 20120212257
    Abstract: A bi-layer pseudo-spin field-effect transistor (BiSFET) is disclosed. The BiSFET includes a first and second conduction layers separated by a tunnel dielectric. The BiSFET transistor also includes a first gate separated from the first conduction layer by an insulating dielectric layer, and a second gate separated from the second conduction layer by an insulating layer. These conduction layers may be composed of graphene. The voltages applied to the first and/or second gates can control the peak current and associated voltage value for current flow between top and bottom conduction channels, and interlayer current voltage characteristic exhibiting negative differential resistance. BiSFETs may be used to make a variety of logic gates. A clocked power supply scheme may be used to facilitate BiSFET-based logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Sanjay K. Banerjee, Leonard Franklin Register, II, Allan MacDonald, Dharmendar Reddy Palle, Emanuel Tutuc
  • Patent number: 8237471
    Abstract: An NAND circuit has a stacked structure having at least one symmetric NFET at a bottom of the stack. More particularly, the circuit has a stacked structure which includes an asymmetric FET and a symmetric FET. The symmetric FET is placed at the bottom of the stacked structure closer to ground than the asymmetric FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Andres Bryant, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8220947
    Abstract: A first current source supplies a tail current It to a plurality of differential pairs. A pre-driver outputs gate signals to the gates of transistors of the corresponding differential pair. A pre-driver is configured to switch the state between the enable state and the disable state. In the enable state, the pre-driver outputs the gate signals that correspond to the differential signals. In the disable state, the pre-driver outputs the gate signals having levels which instruct the transistors of the corresponding differential pair to switch off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Arai, Shoji Kojima
  • Patent number: 8193833
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit that includes a monitoring circuit for monitoring characteristics of a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a first terminal with a first voltage and a second terminal with a second voltage. The semiconductor integrated circuit also comprises an inverter chain circuit comprising a plurality of inverters connected in cascade. Each of the plurality of inverters includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistors included in the inverters located at either odd-number orders or even-number orders counted from an input terminal side of an inverter chain circuit function as pre-charge transistors. The pre-charge transistors have a conductivity type different from a conductivity type of the first transistors other then the pre-charge transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi Inukai
  • Patent number: 8188765
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an asynchronous pipeline circuit. In each stage of the circuit, a variable delay line is incorporated into the request signal path. A tap encoder monitors data entering the stage to detect any state changes occurring in specific data bits. Based on the results of this monitoring (i.e., based on which of the specific data bits, if any, exhibit state changes), the tap encoder enables a specific tap in the variable delay line and, thereby, automatically adjusts the delay of a request signal transmitted along the request signal path. Using a variable request signal delay allows data from a transmitting stage to be captured by a receiving stage prior to the expiration of the maximum possible processing time associated with the transmitting stage, thereby minimizing overall processing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Ouellette, Faraydon Pakbaz, Jack R. Smith, Sebastian T. Ventrone
  • Publication number: 20120112793
    Abstract: A circuit includes E-mode transistors with gate-source junction, a D-mode transistor with gate-source junction. A component generates a voltage drop between the source of the D-mode transistor and the drain of an E-mode transistor provided as a signal output. A connection is made between this drain of the E-mode transistor and the gate of the D-mode transistor, and a signal input at the gates of the E-mode transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Epcos AG
    Inventors: Erwin Spits, Léon C.M. Van den Oever
  • Patent number: 8159271
    Abstract: A scan driver includes a voltage setting circuit, a counter circuit, a logic circuit, a dynamic decoder, N level shift circuits and N output stage circuits, wherein N is a natural number. The voltage setting circuit sets N voltage signals to a first level. The counter circuit provides count data to the logic circuit, which generates M control signals according to the count data, wherein M is a natural number. The dynamic decoder includes multiple transistors, arranged in N rows, for receiving the respective N voltage signals. The transistors are further arranged in M columns and are controlled by the respective M control signals to determine levels of the N voltage signals. The N level shift circuits lift the levels of the respective N voltage signals, and the N output stage circuits output respective N gate signals based on the N voltage signals whose levels are shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Novtek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ching-Ho Hung
  • Publication number: 20120049890
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, logical circuits comprising carbon nanotube field effect transistors are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Ali Keshavarzi, Juanita Kurtlin, Vivek De
  • Publication number: 20110309861
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor included in a latch circuit, a second transistor that is included in the latch circuit and is formed in a well in which the first transistor is formed, the second transistor having a conduction type identical to that of the first transistor, and a well contact that is provided between the first transistor and the second transistor and connects a power supply to the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Taiki Uemura
  • Patent number: 8072243
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first circuit provided between a power source voltage line and a ground line, including at least two first MOS transistors coupled in parallel and a second circuit, which is provided between the power source voltage line and the ground line, including at least two second MOS transistors coupled in series. The gate length and the gate width of the first MOS transistor are adjusted so that the first MOS transistor has a gate area allowing a first characteristic variation of the first MOS transistor to be substantially equal to a second characteristic variation of the second MOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Akifumi Nishiwaki, Masaki Komaki
  • Patent number: 8058907
    Abstract: An inverter device includes at least a first transistor connected between a power source node and ground. The first transistor includes a first gate and a first terminal that are internally capacitive-coupled to control a boost voltage at a boost node. The first terminal is one of a first source and a first drain of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huaxiang Yin, Youngsoo Park, Jaechul Park, Sunil Kim
  • Publication number: 20110241729
    Abstract: An inverter circuit includes: first to third transistors; and first and second capacity elements. The first transistor makes/breaks connection between an output terminal and a first voltage line in response to potential difference between an input terminal and the first voltage line or its correspondent. The second transistor makes/breaks connection between a second voltage line and the output terminal in response to potential difference between a gate of the second transistor and the output terminal or its correspondent. The third transistor makes/breaks connection between a gate of the second transistor and a third voltage line in response to potential difference between the input terminal and the third voltage line or its correspondent. The first and second capacity elements are inserted in series between the input terminal and the gate of the second transistor. A junction between the first and second capacity elements is connected to the output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20110242080
    Abstract: An inverter circuit includes: a first transistor and a second transistor; a first switch and a second switch; and a first capacity element, in which the first and second transistors are connected in series between a first voltage line and a second voltage line, the first and second switches are connected in series between a supply voltage line and a gate of the second transistor, and are alternately turned on and off so as not to be turned on simultaneously, an end of the first capacity element is connected between the first switch and the second switch, and off-state of the first transistor allows a predetermined fixed voltage to be supplied from the supply voltage line to the gate of the second transistor through the first switch, the end of the first capacity element and the second switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20110242079
    Abstract: An inverter circuit includes: first and second transistors connected between first and second voltage lines; a fifth transistor having a drain connected to a fifth voltage line and a source connected to a gate of the second transistor; a first capacitive element between a gate and the source of the fifth transistor; a second capacitive element between a first input terminal and the source of the fifth transistor; and the third capacitive element between a second input terminal and the source of the fifth transistor. A first pulse signal into the first input terminal has a phase advanced more than a second pulse signal into the second input terminal. The second pulse signal is switched while the gate of the fifth transistor and the first voltage line are connected. The first pulse signal is switched while the gate of the fifth transistor and the first voltage line are unconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino